Weddings in Kerala have always admired change, and one of its latest trending features is the ‘save the date’ photoshoot, where the bride and groom announce the dates for their wedding. In recent times, would-be couples of Kerala have created some of the most interesting and creative photoshoots, especially during the corona lockdown. At this juncture, Manikandan and his would-be bride Greeshma have completely changed the narrative.
At a time when many are abandoning their cultural identity in the name of development, Manikandan holds it close as he and Greeshma don their traditional wear for the photo shoot while inviting guests in the Paniya dialect. The invitation is given below.
A rough translation of the invitation would be, “Finally, I found a girl. After informing God and the soil, my wedding is on February 4. Take this as your invitation and please come. Beware, the coronavirus is still present.” The couple is not only following tradition in regards to the invitation and save the date but also the wedding.
A member of the Paniya tribe in Wayanad, Manikandan is also the first MBA graduate from his tribe. He is currently working as a teaching assistant with the Tribal Mission of the Wildlife Department at the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Science University. Meanwhile, Greeshma has completed her course in nursing. The Paniya tribe is the largest in population among the 37 tribes in Wayanad, and yet the situation hasn't been great for them.